Happy Easter! Its crazy to think that in 23 years, yesterday was the first Easter that I spent away from family. My normal Easter at home of going to church, going to grandma’s, eating good food, and doing an Easter egg hunt (yes, still at 23 years old) changed into a day of walking through a hot, stuffy market that smelled like fish watching chickens being be-headed and cooked at every other booth. We spent the morning sharing God’s love and inviting people to a church service that we were having later that day. I have to admit that at times when my feet were tired and I was tired of talking to people that the couch at grandma’s house was sounding pretty good. We invited SO many people to come to church. Then, it was time for the church service and about five new people showed up. I was frustrated. I thought in my head, we spent our whole morning inviting people and only five people showed up? What are we really doing? We had the service, it went well, and through it, one lady and three boys came to enter into a new relationship with Christ! Then, after the service. Pastor Alisha talked with us and through her teary eyes explained that we had given her new life and passion. She had started a church, but the place she was using made her leave so she was starting all over in this market and it there have been many obstacles to overcome. I began to realize my selfishness and that one of the big reasons God had called us there was to support and encourage her! I am thankful that we were able to be used there.
Being away from home for Easter also caused me to truly reflect on the true meaning of Easter. This year, it wasn’t about church services, flowers, nice clothes, colored eggs, and chocolate, but it was about the sacrifice that Christ made for us. It is the reason that we are Christians and the reason that I am doing this trip! Because Christ has risen! Because Christ is alive! And I have been given this opportunity to share that with others around the world! At church last night, I was overwhelmed by a spirit of praise and just adoration for the Lord – all that He has done, all that He has done for me. Even though this Easter was different than what I am used to. It was so good in that I could have a chance to remove myself from “tradition” and truly experience God’s sacrifice and love for me.
**Note – Some of the pictures that I post are taken by Ryan Stewart. He takes good pictures and if there is a little “RS” symbol in the corner then they are from him. I don’t want to take any credit for his excellent photography.
